Crime numbers plummet in Marion County

Published: Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 9:24 p.m.

Index crimes — the seven most serious categories of crime — dropped a staggering 11.2 percent in Marion County from 2011 to 2012, according to a report issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement this week.

Data from the agency revealed that the overall crime rate — the number of crimes per 100,000 population — also dropped an astounding 11.5 percent.

However, the good news was muted somewhat by the fact that the number of murders climbed significantly in 2012, from 14 to 21, and sex offenses ticked upward as well, from 162 to 166.

The drop in crime locally reflected the trend statewide, as Florida's index crime rate dipped 5.7 percent from 2011 to 2012. As in Marion County, Florida's sex offenses climbed, rising 2.7 percent from year to year.

A breakdown of the murders in Marion County reveals that the Marion County Sheriff's Office had a busy year for homicide investigations, handling 14 of 21 cases; the Ocala Police Department investigated six, and the Belleview Police Department had one case, the first in the city since 2006.

Sheriff's detectives solved 12 of the 14 murders they investigated, and the city of Ocala solved four of its six. Numbers show that more than half the homicides — 12 — were related to domestic violence.

Another positive trend showed that local police agencies solved more cases than the previous year, 46.7 percent in 2012 compared to 44.6 percent in 2011.

MCSO had a clearance rate of 54.6 percent, followed by OPD with 36.1 percent, the Dunnellon Police Department at 32.4 percent and BPD at 30.5 percent.

The Sheriff's Office and Dunnellon and Belleview police departments posted double-digit decreases in crime. The Ocala Police Department had a single-digit decrease.

OPD Deputy Chief Rodney Smith attributed the figure to an increase in two categories — murder, from five in 2011 to six in 2012, and 40 cases of forcible rape in 2012 compared to 25 in 2011.

Still, Smith said the agency is doing a good job solving crimes and that numbers are not always a true reflection of police effectiveness.

MCSO spokesperson Capt. Jimmy Pogue said they are surprised their numbers are so high because they have fewer deputies on the road. He said the state average is 1.7 law enforcement officers for every 1,000 residents, while his agency currently has .07 officers for every 1,000 residents. Pogue said they credit the men and women of the MCSO for their diligence and dedication.

Robbery and aggravated assault crimes locally were down 6.9 percent and 4.4 percent respectively from 2011 to 2012. Non-violent crimes went down by 5.9 percent, with burglaries dropping 9.9 percent, followed by motor vehicle thefts at 5.9 percent and larceny at 4.4 percent.

<p>Index crimes — the seven most serious categories of crime — dropped a staggering 11.2 percent in Marion County from 2011 to 2012, according to a report issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement this week.</p><p>Those crimes — murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft — fell from 10,049 to 8,927 year over year, FDLE reported.</p><p>Data from the agency revealed that the overall crime rate — the number of crimes per 100,000 population — also dropped an astounding 11.5 percent.</p><p>However, the good news was muted somewhat by the fact that the number of murders climbed significantly in 2012, from 14 to 21, and sex offenses ticked upward as well, from 162 to 166.</p><p>The drop in crime locally reflected the trend statewide, as Florida's index crime rate dipped 5.7 percent from 2011 to 2012. As in Marion County, Florida's sex offenses climbed, rising 2.7 percent from year to year.</p><p>A breakdown of the murders in Marion County reveals that the Marion County Sheriff's Office had a busy year for homicide investigations, handling 14 of 21 cases; the Ocala Police Department investigated six, and the Belleview Police Department had one case, the first in the city since 2006.</p><p>Sheriff's detectives solved 12 of the 14 murders they investigated, and the city of Ocala solved four of its six. Numbers show that more than half the homicides — 12 — were related to domestic violence.</p><p>Another positive trend showed that local police agencies solved more cases than the previous year, 46.7 percent in 2012 compared to 44.6 percent in 2011.</p><p>MCSO had a clearance rate of 54.6 percent, followed by OPD with 36.1 percent, the Dunnellon Police Department at 32.4 percent and BPD at 30.5 percent.</p><p>The Sheriff's Office and Dunnellon and Belleview police departments posted double-digit decreases in crime. The Ocala Police Department had a single-digit decrease.</p><p>OPD Deputy Chief Rodney Smith attributed the figure to an increase in two categories — murder, from five in 2011 to six in 2012, and 40 cases of forcible rape in 2012 compared to 25 in 2011.</p><p>Still, Smith said the agency is doing a good job solving crimes and that numbers are not always a true reflection of police effectiveness.</p><p>MCSO spokesperson Capt. Jimmy Pogue said they are surprised their numbers are so high because they have fewer deputies on the road. He said the state average is 1.7 law enforcement officers for every 1,000 residents, while his agency currently has .07 officers for every 1,000 residents. Pogue said they credit the men and women of the MCSO for their diligence and dedication.</p><p>Robbery and aggravated assault crimes locally were down 6.9 percent and 4.4 percent respectively from 2011 to 2012. Non-violent crimes went down by 5.9 percent, with burglaries dropping 9.9 percent, followed by motor vehicle thefts at 5.9 percent and larceny at 4.4 percent.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>